Fostering Payments

1. Maintenance

Birmingham Children's Trust pays a weekly maintenance allowance in respect of each foster child in placement. The allowance varies with the age of the child and is intended to cover the cost of clothing, food, transport, school outings, and increased costs of lighting, heating, laundry, entertainment and wear and tear on furniture. It also includes pocket money, but the actual amount of pocket money to be given to the child is left to the discretion of the foster carer in consultation with the social worker.

When a foster child is absent from the foster home, for example on being admitted to hospital, the maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for a maximum of 4 weeks. The Head of Adoption and Fostering/Senior Manager may extend this period where appropriate, for example where the foster carer incurs significant costs in visiting the child.

2. Other Allowances

Birmingham Children's Trust funds the membership fees of the Fostering Network and Birmingham Foster Care Association for any fully approved foster carer.

An initial clothing allowance is payable during the first 12 months of the placement of any child with a fully approved foster carer. This is a discretionary allowance, and the actual allowance paid in respect of any child depends on that child's need for clothing at the time of placement, up to a set maximum per child. If the foster carer has had a period of temporary approval, any payments made for the same purpose during that period will be taken into account in calculating the appropriate contribution.

When a foster carer becomes fully approved the Trust will consider paying an initial equipment allowance. This is a contribution (up to a set maximum) toward any furniture and equipment that the foster carer will need for the fostering task. All approved foster carers who offer short term placements receive an allowance toward the upkeep and replacement of furniture and other equipment.

The Trust provides an allowance to all fully approved foster carers toward the purchase of a birthday gift for each foster child. This is paid automatically shortly before each child's birthday.

The Trust pays an allowance toward the expenses related to Christmas or an alternative religious festival. This is paid automatically before Christmas, or at a time of year nominated by the foster carer for the specific child.

The Trust pays an allowance each year toward the provision of a holiday for each foster child.

All foster carers who provide short term placements are entitled to take one or more holiday periods totalling up to 4 weeks per year. During this period the Trust will continue to pay fees but no maintenance (where the child/ren is not with the carer. If the foster carer decides not to take a holiday period without the child, or to take a shorter period, the Trust will pay an additional fee equal to the fee that would have been paid.

Foster carers who provide permanent placements are expected to provide placements for 52 weeks a year. In exceptional circumstances the Trust may accept that it would be in the interest of the child(ren) in placement for the foster carer to take rest periods. This will be written into the child's care plan. During any rest periods the Trust will continue to pay fees but no maintenance.

3. Fees

All foster carers at level 2 and above receive fees in addition to the maintenance allowance. Birmingham Children's Trust's expectations of the foster carer, and the fee paid, increases through the levels.

Temporary Approval (Level 1)

This is where foster carers have been given temporary approval under the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010 and have not been fully assessed and approved under the Fostering Services Regulations 2011. There are currently two groups of persons who may be given temporary approval:

• Relatives, friends and other persons connected with the child; and
• Approved prospective adopters.

Temporary approved foster carers receive the maintenance allowance for each child placed with them. These payments are made from the date of placement of the child. Temporary approved foster carers do not receive fees until they have been fully assessed and approved.

When a foster carer is given temporary approval the need for a placement is often urgent and the child's circumstances confused. Consequently any immediate need for clothes, furniture, equipment etc. is generally met through exercise of the Trust's powers under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989.

Any such payments made will be taken into account in considering any later request for an allowance under this policy.

Birmingham Children's Trust's expectation of Temporary approved foster carers is that they will promote the welfare of each child placed with them as set out in the placement plan.

Level 2

Level 2 foster carers who have been fully assessed as having the skills and abilities to care for a specific child/ren, and have been approved by the Children's Trust's decision maker for fostering following consideration by the fostering panel.

Birmingham Children's Trust's expectation of Level 2 carers is that they will promote the welfare of each child placed with them as set out in the placement plan, and that they will support care planning for the child by participating in reviews, core groups etc. If the child is going through court proceedings it may be necessary for the carer to give evidence.

Level 2 foster carers must achieve the training, support and development standards for family and friends foster carers within 18 months of full approval. They are also expected to participate in the mandatory training for all foster carers.

Level 3

Level 3 foster carers are fully assessed as having the skills and abilities to care for a wide range of children, of different ages with varying needs, and have been approved by the Children's Trust's decision maker for fostering following consideration by the fostering panel.

They have participated in training in working with children and young people who have been the subject of inadequate and harmful parenting, or who have a disability which has a significant impact on their physical, intellectual, emotional and/or social development.

In addition to the expectations of Level 2, Birmingham Children's Trust expects Level 3 foster carers to:

• Have achieved a relevant NVQ3 qualification, or undertaken appropriate alternative training, or demonstrate a willingness to undertake such training;
• Demonstrate their skills and knowledge when working with children who need extra help and support;
• Demonstrate good understanding of children with challenging behaviour when in placement, and of when to seek help if required;
• Demonstrate the ability to work with children with complex and challenging needs; and
• Write reports and be involved in legal processes in complex legal cases.

Level 4

Level 4 foster carers must possess the competences of level 3 carers. In addition they will be expected to:

• Understand that children and young people need to be safe and at times need to test out their pain, anger and hurt in a safe fostering environment;
• Provide support and guidance to children and young people with challenging behaviour;
• Help children and young people resolve conflict in their lives;
• Have a good understanding of the importance of self-esteem and of how to enable young people to reach their full potential; and
• Demonstrate a good understanding of working practices in Children's Trust, working in partnership etc.

Level 5 carers

Level 5 carers are recruited to specialist schemes. Each scheme will establish an application process and set criteria for approval. 

4. Progression Between the Levels

When a foster carer is fully approved to care for a wide range of children of different ages with varying needs by the agency decision maker for fostering, they will normally be approved at Level 3. Exceptionally the Head of Fostering/Senior Manager may agree that there is evidence that they demonstrate the skills and experience appropriate to Level 4.

A foster carer who wishes to progress from Level 2 to Level 3 will need to have their original assessment updated evidencing how they can meet the needs of a wide range of children of different ages and varying needs. The assessment must be approved by the Children's Trust's decision maker for fostering.

If a connected person foster carer would be barred from fostering an unrelated child by virtue of their criminal record, the Trust will not progress them to Level 3.

A foster carer who wishes to progress from level 3 to level 4 must first  qualify as per the terms of reference for progression panel, and demonstrate the experience and skills to operate at level 4. The applicant will complete an assessment of their skills with evidence, and the supervising social worker and team manager will add comments and recommendations.

The application will be submitted to the progression panel. This panel, which meets at least once a year, is chaired by the Registered Manager for Fostering.

Progression to level 5 depends on the foster carer volunteering for, and being approved to participate in, a specialist scheme.

5. Transfer from Another Fostering Service

When a foster carer arranges to transfer their approval from another fostering service to Birmingham Children's Trust they will be transferred at level 3 or level 4 depending on the carer's skills and experience and the training they have undergone. This will be confirmed in the reference from their present approving service. The Head of Fostering/Senior Manager will decide the initial level of fees to be offered.